All good things....

Nick arrived first, Dustin, Mark, Justin, Chris, Ish, Yippie, Deb, Devin and Ben all soon followed. Buy ins were allowed until 9. I think we raised $120 for the American Cancer Society. The money finishers were, in order, Nick who won free food from Sonic, Ish who played remarkably well and won a free haircut and in a bittersweet, poetic end to a long and outstanding career at TNP, Deb came from almost certain elimination in the heads up and won the night and a $50 gift card from Wal-Mart.

As she was about to leave she announced this would be her last apperance at the poker table at the BB&L, at least for the forseeable future. In June she will be moving far away and decided to make tonight her last game. Tearfully I said my good-bye and respect and agree with her decision. Little time remains before she must move and the difficulty of saying good-bye will only multiply with each passing day.

People come and go into and out of our lives for a specific reason, for a specific time. For better than 4 years now Deb has been my chief rival, my number 1 nemisis and the player I most respected and dreaded. My only peer at the table we could relate to our age and the years no one else but us could remember. I wish her and her family nothing but success as they begin this new chapter in their lives. Thursday night poker will never be the same again. I fold Deb, the hand and game is yours. May all your cards be live, your pots be monsters, your years long and worry free. Farewell.

And now from our roving reporter, Devi Chan

Jeff threw away the keys to his house in this edition of TNP. He says it was for a graduation, but most likely it was fear of the nunchucks (which Bobby insisted I bring). Bummed Jeff couldn't take the "ninja heat", Ish held off as long as he could from attending as well. We comforted him by mentioning the forehead-to-hair ratio among the group members, and he finally decided to show. We all know his fondness for a full head of hair (however odd or hideous it may be). Dustin was the first to go, and I took the bounty. He promptly reminded Bobby about his tendency to "peak early". I'll leave that one between those two. Bobby did begin with a bang, and we were unsure if this was going to be *the night* for him. Ish finally arrived, but failed to peak at all, finishing next and introducing Chris to a helping of imaginative nonsense. Chris threw in his last chips (along with chips from Bobby and I) in a monumental hand that changed the momentum of the game. Was Chris seeking an escape route from the chaos known as conversation with Ish? Who knows. This left Bobby, Deb and I fairly close in chip count. However, that didn't last long as Deb and I chipped away what Bobby had left. Bobby went off to "Smackdown" on the Wii. Jeff, Justin and Mark all showed, periodically peeking in the room to watch the "big dogs" play. Deb dwindled waiting for a hand, and doubled up in an all in. Practicing patience, she proved why she's a force to be reckoned with. But, in the end it was me, the poker ninja of the night, that prevailed. Saturday will be a special benefit edition of poker. $10 buy-in with a chance to win a $50 Wal-Mart gift card, free haircut, sonic food and whatever else anyone would like to donate. LLAP

Devi Chan

dejavu

Sorry, I know it's late. Again. Wes made a not so triumphant return to TNP when he was ousted first. The surprise came when an up and coming Devin, just off his first win last week, let Dustin's full house take him for a huge chunk of his chips. Unable to recover, Devin was out next. Another surprise came when Bobby exited 3rd and yet another when Deb was eliminated next. Lisa succumbed next and I was soon to follow her. This left the top three, Ish, Chris and Dustin. Ish had started the night strong and although we tried to jinx him with the dreaded "you've peaked too early" he still managed to make the top 3. Chris fought back from an early deficit but was unable to overcome the huge chip advantage Dustin was able to amass after facing an early elimination scare. So Dustin wins his second TNP. Congrats! Here are the numbers:

9. Wes 1
8. Devin 2
7. Bobby 3
6. Deb 4
5. Lisa 5
4. Jeff 6
3. Ish 8 (including Devin's bounty point)
2. Chris 9
1. Dustin 11

Remember I won't be here tomorrow but the game will go on. Bobby will have keys and will be the keeper of the poker book and will post the blog. Also remember the $10 buy in for a $50 Wal-Mart gift card, a free hair cut or free food from Sonic on Saturday night starting promptly at 7PM with all buy in money going to the American Cancer Society. Until then, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

Conspiracy Theories

Yes, I was the victim of a conspiracy tonight. The 2 point bounty on my head was a small consolation to the fact that no one wanted to see me win 3 in a row. Nevertheless, Ish was out first, followed by Chris who never drew a pot. Ben came in late and left early. Justin B lost his phone and his chips next. Dustin, who came out swinging, peaked too early and was next to be eliminated. Bobby, who peaked later in the game this week than last was out next. I did make the top 3 before the conspiracy was unleashed. That left the two top players and the dealer free to relish in their successful plan. And for the first time at an official TNP game, Devin defeated Deb to win the top spot and the $15 pot. Congrats Devin! Now, the numbers:

9. Ish 2
8. Chris 4
7. Ben 6
6. Justin B 8
5. Dustin 12 (including double bonus points for quad 4s)
4. Bobby 12
3. Jeff 14
2. Deb 18
1. Devin 26 (including double bounty points for taking me out)

So, until next week may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Saturday, May 30 7PM poker tournament, $10 buy in with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. First prize $25 Wal-Mart Gift Card. Second prize free hair cut from Pro-Cuts. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, May 27th.

Happy Mother's Day

Bobby & Dustin brought Deb & I candy for Mother's Day. It touched my heart. And this after I jinxed Bobby! He had a HUMONGOUS chip lead from very early on. He should have after putting Dustin out first. And I might have casually said something about peaking early, 20 or 30 times. WELL, sure enough, his peak ran out and he was out next. TRAGIC! Sorry Bobby and thanks for the candy. Chris was out next then Deb. Luckily she was able to complete the game before going and retrieving her daughter from a concert. That left the small field with only 2 players. Devin and myself. See, I was hurting early on in the game but peaked about mid-way through. Devin did the same, unable to focus on poker cause he wanted to run! What's up with that? Anyway, my peak was bigger and I won the night. $10 and 9 points. Here's the breakdown.

6. Dustin 1
5. Bobby 2
4. Chris 3
3. Deb 4
2. Devin 6
1. Jeff 9 (including retaining my bounty point)

A second game broke out with Ish arriving. Devin once again won the game with no points on the line.

Next week is double points, $5 buy in and bring your own sack supper night. Till then, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

Shhhh!

be vewy vewy quiet. we cant' talk loud cause deb might hear. she was afraid i forgot to post last weeks update and wishes i'd forget to post this weeks. you see, about 10 minutes into last night's game, i had a full house and bet $1000. she had a full house too and went all in. unfortunately for her, mine was bigger and she was first out and promptly left.

Ok, with that out of the way we can continue with the rest of the game. After Deb, Ish with his devil may care style was eliminated. Chris soon followed and Dustin after him. Bobby didn't fare much better and after he exited Lisa followed suit. This left the top three between Justin B., Devin and myself. Well, thanks to Deb doubling me up from the very early stages of the game, I had accumulated quite the chip lead. I got great cards all night and when the heads up came down to me and Devin, well, let's just say Devin's had a great run lately at TNP coming in second. So, I took $16, 12 points (including Deb's bounty, shhh) and drew a little closer to first place, even though I still have a long way to go.

About 2/3 through the game, Deb called and asked if she could come back and deal. Something about her husband doing work at home. So, because we finished early a second game broke out. That one came down to Deb & Devin. He can win the games that don't count toward TNP standings. So he took about $12. Fun night for all. Except Deb. She doesn't want to talk about it. Here's the breakdown:

9. Deb 1
8. Ish 2
7. Chris 3
6. Dustin 4
5. Bobby 5
4. Lisa 6
3. Justin B. 7
2. Devin 9
1. Jeff 12 (including Deb's bounty point)

Next week there will be new carpet installed. Therefore, because I don't want the new carpet looking like the old, no food or drinks will be allowed at the poker table. This will help preserve not only the carpet but the table. Breaks are scheduled every 60 minutes and this will allow us ample time to pee, drink, snack & smoke. Thanks for your cooperation. Until next week may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!